Bird spike with plastic base having upper recesses

ABSTRACT

A deterrent device can include an elongated base having a plurality of spikes coupled to the base that are configured to extend from the base such that the spikes alternate on each side of the base between a lower-angled spike and an upper-angled spike. The base can further include first and second wings that each has a width that is at least twice a width of the base.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/053,376, filed Oct. 14, 2013, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/018,195, filed on Sep. 4,2013, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/460,593,filed on Apr. 30, 2012, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,601,747, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/595,440, filed on Feb.6, 2012. These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or useof a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary tothe definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that termprovided herein applies and the definition of that term in the referencedoes not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is animal deterrents, and especially as theyrelate to bird deterrents.

BACKGROUND

The presence of birds on window sills, roof tops, boat masts, and othersurfaces is often undesirable. Among other things, birds tend to benoisy and make an unsightly mess that can attract insects and provide afertile bed for bacteria which can present a significant health hazard.Additionally, the unaesthetic appearance of bird droppings and the likeoften requires unpleasant and time consuming clean up where access tothe droppings is available. Often, the repulsive appearance of birddroppings and other by-products of birds are not even accessible forclean up.

It is known to mount a plurality of pointed objects, such as spikes andthe like, on surfaces where it is desired to repel birds. See, e.g, U.S.Pat. Appl. 2004/0216393 to Hall, et al. (publ. November 2004), and UKPatent No. 2432412B to Jones. However, traditional bird repellentdevices comprise a metal base with a plurality of angularly and upwardlyprojecting metal wires or spikes. Unfortunately, such metalcontraptions, while accomplishing the desired result, tend to be costlyto manufacture because they are not conducive to non-labor intensivemanufacturing processes such as injection molding for example.

Although various plastic bird repellant devices are known such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,465 to Donoho, U.S. Pat. Appl. No.2003/0208967 to Riddell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,676 to Wiesener et al. andWIPO Publ. No. 2005/029955 to Knight (publ. April 2005), such devicesuffer from one or more disadvantages including, for example, a highercost of shipment due to their inability to stack and weight of theplastic.

Thus, there is still a need for a bird repellent device which is easyand less costly to manufacture and ship, and which is relativelyinexpensive to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods fordeterrent devices for birds and other animals. Preferred devices includean elongated base having a base width and at least one glue space. Thebase can advantageously include first and second support arms or wingscoupled to the base and configured to maintain an upright position ofthe device while reducing the required base width. It is especiallypreferred that the support arms each has a width that is at least twicethe base width, and more preferably, at least three times the basewidth.

First and second spikes each of which has first and second portions canbe coupled to the base. Preferably, the spikes are configured to extendfrom the base such that the upper portions alternate on each side of thebase between a lower-angled spike and an upper-angled spike. In thismanner, the alternating spikes maximize the span of the spikes acrossthe base such that the number of spikes on the base can be reduced. Asused herein, the term “span” is defined as the maximum width of thedevice as measured from a distal end of the first spike's first portionand a distal end of the second spike's second portion.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a deterrentdevice.

FIGS. 2A-2B are perspective and side views of one embodiment of adeterrent device nested within another deterrent device.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of a deterrent device.

FIGS. 4A-4B are enlarged views of another embodiment of a deterrentdevice.

FIGS. 5A-5B are bottom perspective views of yet another embodiment of adeterrent device.

FIGS. 6A-6D are a bottom perspective view, a vertical cross-sectionview, a top view, and a horizontal cross-sectional view, respectively,of another embodiment of a deterrent device.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a plurality of nested deterrentdevices.

FIGS. 8A-8D are a perspective view, a top view, a horizontalcross-section view, and a side view of another embodiment of a deterrentdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One should appreciate that the disclosed techniques provide manyadvantageous technical effects including reducing the use of plasticwhile enabling the deterrent device to maintain an upright position whensubject to forces from birds or other animals or wind or other elements.The reduced amount of plastic needed for the device advantageouslyreduces the total weight of the device, which reduces its shipment cost.In addition, the device is configured to permit stacking of multipledevices, which further reduces the cost of shipment.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

In FIG. 1, an embodiment of a deterrent device 100 is shown having anelongated base 102 that has a base width “B” and at least one raisedportion 104 and preferably at least two raised portions 104 thattransversely extends across at least part of base 102. In somecontemplated embodiments, the raised portion(s) 104 can comprise gluespaces. In such embodiments, the transverse glue spaces or channelsadvantageously allow the base 102 to be narrower as compared withdeterrent devices of the prior art having longitudinally-extending gluechannels. Preferred raised portions 104 have a width that is equal tothe base width B, and a length that is at least 1.5 times, andpreferably 2 times, the base width B. Alternatively, however, the atleast one raised portion 104 can have a width that is less than the basewidth B.

The device 100 is preferably manufactured in 300 or 600 mm segments,although any commercially suitable length could be used. In an exemplaryembodiment, the base 102 could have a base width B of approximately 10mm and a length of approximately between 200-250 mm.

First and second wings 110 and 112 can be coupled to, and configured toextend laterally from, the base 102, which advantageously allows for areduced base width B while preventing the base 102 from rocking side toside and thereby maintaining the horizontal stability of the base 102.Preferably, each of the first and second wings 110 and 112 has a widththat is at least twice the base width B, and more preferably, at leastthree times the base width B. It is especially preferred that the wings110 and 112 each has a width that is at least five times the base width,which significantly reduces the amount of material required to form thebase 102 and thereby reduces the weight and shipping cost of the device100. With the addition of the wings 110 and 112, it has been found thatthe base width B can be reduced to 15 mm or less, and preferably 10 mmor less, which to Applicant's knowledge was not achievable with priorart devices.

Device 100 can further include first and second spikes 106 and 108coupled to the base 102. The spikes 106 and 108 are preferably composedof stainless steel, although any commercially suitable material(s) couldbe used including, for example, other metals or metal composites,plastics or other polycarbonates, and any combinations thereof. Inpreferred embodiments, the spikes 106 and 108 can be configured toextend from the base 102 such that the spikes 106 and 108 alternate oneach side of the base 102 between a lower-angled spike and anupper-angled spike. In addition, adjacent spikes 106 and 108 can becoupled to the base 102 such that a first upper portion 106A of spike106 extends from the base 102 at an angle that is equal to the angle atwhich a second upper portion 108B of spike 108 extends from the base102. In this manner, the span of the spikes 106 and 108 (e.g., themaximum horizontal distance between the spikes 106 and 108) can beincreased without increasing the total number of spikes.

In preferred embodiments, the span of the spikes 106 and 108 is at leastfive times the base width B, more preferably at least eight times, andmost preferably, at least ten times the base width B. By increasing thespan of the spikes 106 and 108, the device 100 can be utilized toprevent different sizes of birds or other pests from perching on asurface, while reducing the necessary base width B.

As the span of the spikes 106 and 108 is increased, the base width Bmust generally also be increased to maintain a horizontal stability ofthe device 100 under forces acting upon the device 100 such as birds orother pests, or wind or other elements. However, by providing wings 110and 112, the effective width of the base 102 can be increased threefold, four fold, or even five fold or more to accommodate a larger spanwithout or with only a minimal increase in base width B. For example,the spikes 106 and 108 could have a span of approximately 115 mm whilethe base 102 could have a base width B of approximately 10 mm, whichsignificantly reduces the amount of material required for the base 102while increasing the stability of the device 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first spike 106 can have first and second upperportions 106A-106B and a middle portion 106C coupling the upper portions106A-106B. Similarly, the second spikes 108 can also include first andsecond upper portions 108A-108B and a middle portion 108C coupling theupper portions 108A-108B.

The device 100 can further include first and second spike stabilizers120 and 122 that are each coupled to the base 102 and configured toprevent rotation and maintain an upright position of the first andsecond spikes 106 and 108, respectively. The spike stabilizers 120 and122 can include indented portions into which the first and second spikes106 and 108 can be respectively positioned. Preferably, the first andsecond spikes 106 and 108 are press or snap fitted into the indentedpotions of the spike stabilizers 120 and 122, respectively. The device'sunique locking mechanism requires only a small amount of plastic orother material while strongly securing the spikes. In addition, thespike stabilizers 120 and 122 advantageously allow for quick machineinsertion of the spikes 106 and 108. It is further contemplated that thespikes 106 and 108 could be secured to the base 102 by heat staking oneor more protruding studs and thereby cover at least a portion of middleportions 106C and 108C of spikes 106 an 10, respectively.

Preferably, each of the first and second spike stabilizers 120 and 122has a generally U shape comprising a middle, generally horizontalportion 120A and 122A, and two upwardly extending portions 120B-C and122B-C, respectively. It is especially preferred that the upwardlyextending portions 120B-C and 122B-C each has a length that is no morethan 20%, more preferably no more than 15%, and most preferably no morethan 10%, of a length of an upper portion of spike 106 or 108. Forexample, in some contemplated embodiments, first and second upperportions 106A-106B of the first spike 106 could each have a length ofapproximately 115 mm and the first spike stabilizer 120 could haveupwardly-extending portions 120B-C each having a length of approximately10 mm.

In some contemplated embodiments, the first spike 106 can be disposedbetween the first wing 110 and the first spike stabilizer 120, and thesecond spike 108 can be disposed between the second wing 112 and thesecond spike stabilizer 122.

In some contemplated embodiments, the base 102 can include one or moreholes 116 that extend from an upper surface of the base 102 to raisedportion 104. The holes advantageously allow for glue or other adhesiveto be quickly inserted in the raised portion 104 while the device 100 isadjacent to a mounting surface. Alternatively, the holes 116 could allowfor the insertion of a nail or other commercially suitable fastener(s)such that the device 100 can be secured to a mounting surface.

It is further contemplated that the base 102 can have glue spaces 118,which can be at least partially defined by raised portion 104. In thismanner, the overall depth of the base 102 can be maintained whileproviding for the glue spaces 118. In addition, the raised portions 104can advantageously increase the strength and flexibility of the base102, allowing the base 102 to be flexed into a U-shape without permanentdeformation of the base 102. In such embodiments, one or more of theraised portions 104 can at least partially include a hole 116. Theraised portions 104 can advantageously be further configured toaccommodate the spikes of another device when the other device is nestedwithin device and while the spikes of each device are oriented at least5° with respect to a surface normal of the respective base. In thismanner, the devices can be closely stacked, which reduces the shipmentcosts of the devices.

It is contemplated that a collective surface area of the raised portions104 can be at least half of the total surface area of the base 102,which advantageously increases the strength of the base 102 againsttorque and other forces without a need to increase the base width B.

The base 102 can further include a plurality of apertures 124, which canbe configured to receive a nail or other fastener to thereby attach thedevice 100 to a mounting surface.

Optionally, the base 102 can include one or more transverse break points114, which allow for quick resizing of the base 102 without the need foradditional tools. In some contemplated embodiments, at least one of theraised portions 104 can include a break point 114, which comprises arecessed area of at least one raised portion 104.

The base 102, wings 110 and 112, and spike stabilizers 120 and 122 canpreferably be extruded using recycled polycarbonate, whichadvantageously reduces the manufacturing cost and weight of the device100 while reducing its environmental impact. However, the variouscomponents could alternatively be injection-molded or formed via anycommercially suitable process. It is further contemplated that the base102 and other components could comprise non-recycled polycarbonate,metals or metal composites, or any other commercially suitablematerial(s) or combinations thereof.

Optionally, base 102 could include a V-shape vertical cross-section,which allows the device 100 to bend laterally.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate device 100 of FIG. 1 nested within a seconddeterrent device 200. The raised portions 104 can advantageously allowthe device 100 to accommodate the spikes 206 and 208 of the seconddevice 200 when the device 100 is nested within the second device 200and while the spikes 206 and 208 are oriented at least 5° with respectto a surface normal of base 202. In this manner, the vertical spacingbetween neighboring devices 100 and 200 can be substantially reduced topreferably less than 3 cm, more preferably less than 1 cm, and mostpreferably allows for little or no spacing between the devices 100 and200, which thereby increases the number of devices that can be stackedwithin a given height. This advantageously can reduce the amount ofpackaging and therefore the shipment cost of the devices. With respectto the remaining numerals in each of FIGS. 2A-2B, the sameconsiderations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

In FIG. 3, a top view of another embodiment of a deterrent device 300 isshown. With respect to the remaining numerals in FIG. 3, the sameconsiderations for like components with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate enlarged perspective and top views of a firstspike stabilizer 420, respectively, which can include an indented orrecessed portion 430 into which a first spike can be inserted.Preferably, the first spike stabilizer 420 includes one or more teeth432 configured to have sufficient flexibility to allow the first spiketo be snap or press fit into the recessed portion 430. To provide theteeth 432 with sufficient flexibility, the first spike stabilizer 420can include one or more gaps 434 that partially separate the teeth 432from the first spike stabilizer 420. Using the teeth 432 as lockingmechanisms, the spikes can be quickly and easily coupled to the base 102by a machine or less preferably by hand. With respect to the remainingnumerals in each of FIGS. 4A-4B, the same considerations for likecomponents with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

In FIGS. 5A-5B, another embodiment of a deterrent device 500 is shownhaving a raised portion 504 disposed between adjacent first and secondspikes 506 and 508. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that theraised portion 504 could have a length that is at least 1.5 times thebase width B, and preferably, at least two times the base width B. In anexemplary embodiment, the base 102 could have a base width ofapproximately 10 mm, and the raised portion 504 could have a width ofapproximately 10 mm and a length of approximately 20 mm, whichadvantageously allows for nesting of device 500 within other deterrentdevices, while also providing for a large surface area for glue or otheradhesive to adhere the base 502 to a desired surface.

Spike stabilizers 520 and 522 can each have a recessed area 530 intowhich the first and second spikes 506 and 508 can be inserted,respectively. In this manner, the first spike 506 can be prevented fromrotating and thereby maintain an upright position because of the spikestabilizer 520 and wing 510 on opposite sides of the first spike 506 andthe mounting surface below. Similarly, the second spike 508 can beprevented from rotating because of the spike stabilizer 522 and wing 512on opposite sides of the second spike 508 and the mounting surfacebelow.

The spike stabilizers 520 and 522 can further include gaps 532, whichallow teeth 534 to have sufficient flexibility to allow the first andsecond spikes 506 and 508 to be snap or press-fitted into the recessedarea 530 of the first and second spike stabilizers 520 and 522,respectively. With respect to the remaining numerals in each of FIGS.5A-5B, the same considerations for like components with like numerals ofFIG. 1 apply.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate another embodiment of a deterrent device 600 forbirds or other pests having a base 602 to which a plurality of spikescan be coupled. A first spike 606 can be positioned within an indentedor recessed portion between a first wing 610 and a first spikestabilizer 620, which thereby maintains the spike 606 in a generallyvertical, upright position with respect to base 102. Optionally, thefirst spike 606 can be press fit or snap fit using tab 632 into a gapbetween the first wing 610 and a first spike stabilizer 620. However, itis especially preferred that the first spike 606 is secured to the base602 by heat staking at least one protruding stud 640 to thereby deformthe stud 640 and cover at least a portion of the first spike 606. Thisheat staking process preferably occurs during manufacture of the device600. In this manner, the deformed stud 640 prevents the spike from beingaccidentally dislodged from the base 602. Although shown coupled to thefirst spike stabilizer 620, it is contemplated that the at least onestud 640 could be coupled to the first wing 610, or other portion of thedevice 100 such that the stud 640 when deformed can cover at least aportion of a spike. In other contemplated embodiments, the first spike606 could be integral with the base, such as through formation viainjection molding.

Base 602 preferably comprises upper and lower recesses 603 and 604 withthe upper recesses 603 disposed on a top surface of the base 602 and thelower recesses 604 disposed on a bottom surface of the base 602. In suchembodiments, it is preferred that the perimeter of the upper recesses603 extend from the top surface of the base 602 into a portion of thebase 602 although not completely through the base 602, not includingaperture 616. Likewise, it is preferred that a perimeter of the lowerrecesses 604 extend from the bottom surface of the base 602 into aportion of the base 602 although not completely through the base 602,not including aperture 624. It is contemplated that the recesses canextend about half way into the base 602, although the specific depth ofthe recesses could vary depending on a length and width of the recesswith respect to the dimensions of the base. It is especially preferredthat the upper and lower recesses 603 and 604 alternate sequentiallyalong a length of base 602. The recesses advantageously reduce theamount of material required to produce the base 602. Moreover, byalternating between upper and lower recesses, the rigidity and strengthof the base 602 can be increased despite the significant reduction inmaterial.

As shown best in FIG. 6B, the base 602 can be divided into a pluralityof sections 640, each of which includes a wing, an upper recess 603 anda lower recess 604. In some contemplated embodiments, base 602 couldinclude between 12-20 sections. Of course, the exact number of sectionswill depend on the desired length of the base 602. Advantageously,because of the reduced amount of material required, where the base 602is injection molded, base 602 can have fewer injection points 642 than atraditional injection molded spike. For example, in some embodiments,base 602 could include seven sections or more between injection points.

In preferred embodiments, at least each pair of upper and lower recesses603 and 604 are coupled by continuous side walls 644 and 646, whichfurther add to the strength and rigidity of the base 602 despite theplurality of recesses. In addition, it is contemplated that the base 602can include transverse support elements 648 or ribs that extend across awidth of the base and preferably extend along a height of the base,which further strengthen base 602. The support elements 648 arepreferably disposed between each pair of adjacent upper and lowerrecesses 603 and 604. In this manner, each section 640 of the base 602can include continuous side walls 644 and 646, and at least one supportelement 648, such that the section 640 has at least one continuousportion along its width and length to maintain a shape of the section640. Each of the upper and lower recesses 603 and 604 can have aU-shaped or C-shaped horizontal cross-section, as shown best in FIG. 6D.

Each of the upper and lower recesses 603 and 604 is preferably definedby first and second side walls and a middle wall that connects the firstside wall to the second side wall, thereby defining the U- or C-shapedhorizontal cross-section. Preferably, each pair of upper and lowerrecesses are defined by a contiguous left side wall of the base 602 onone side, and a contiguous right side wall of the base 602 on the otherside. In such embodiments, the left and right side walls can define sideportions of each of a lower and upper recess. With respect to theremaining numerals in each of FIGS. 6A-6D, the same considerations forlike components with like numerals of FIG. 1 apply.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a plurality of deterrentdevices 700, 710, and 720, which are nested within an adjacent deterrentdevice. The deterrent devices 700, 710, and 720 can each include aplurality of spikes 704, 714, and 724 that project upwardly andoutwardly from the bases 702, 712 and 722 of each of the deterrentdevices 700, 710, and 720, respectively. In this manner, the verticalspacing between neighboring devices 700 and 710 and 710 and 720 can besubstantially reduced to preferably less than 3 cm, more preferably lessthan 1 cm, and most preferably allows for little or no spacing betweenadjacent devices, which thereby increases the number of devices that canbe stacked within a given height while the spikes 704, 714, and 724 ofthe devices 700, 710 and 720, respectively, are oriented at least 5°with respect to a surface normal of bases 702, 712 and 722. Thisadvantageously can reduce the amount of packaging and therefore theshipment cost of the devices.

In FIGS. 8A-8D, another embodiment of a deterrent device 800 is showncomprising a single, injection-molded piece of plastic. Device 800includes a base 802 from which a plurality of spikes 806 can extend.Preferably, the spikes 806 are permanently affixed to base 802, althoughin other contemplated embodiments, spikes can be removable coupled tothe base 802. While spikes 806 are composed of plastic or otherpolycarbonate in this embodiment, it is contemplated that spikes couldcomprise one or metals or metal composites or any othercommercially-suitable materials or combinations thereof.

Base 802 can include upper and lower recesses 803 and 804, respectively,which preferably alternate along a length of the base 802. The upperrecesses 803 are preferably disposed on a top surface of the base 802and the lower recesses 804 on a bottom surface of the base 802.Preferably, upper recesses 803 extend from the top surface of the base802 into a portion of the base 802 although not completely through thebase 802, and lower recesses 804 extend from the bottom surface of thebase 802 into a portion of the base 802 although not completely throughthe base 802.

Base 802 preferably includes left and right side walls that extendcontinuously along each side of the base 802, except where wings 810intersect the side walls and extend outwardly from the base 802. Wings810 act as stabilizers, thereby allowing a width of base 802 to beminimized while help to stabilize device 800 and maintain an uprightorientation of device 800. Each of the wings 802 can comprise the sameshape with adjacent wings oriented opposite from one another. Forexample, in a preferred embodiment, each of the wings 802 can includefirst and second portions, where the first portion has a top surfacewith a slope of approximately between 0 degrees to 15 degrees and thesecond portion has a sloped top surface of approximately between 30degrees to 60 degrees. In some contemplated embodiments, the firstportion of a wing can extend from a left side of base 802 and the firstportion of an adjacent wing can extend from the right side of base 802.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deterrent device, comprising: an elongated basehaving a first wing extending from opposite sides of the base; a firstspike extending from the first wing; and wherein the base furthercomprises a plurality of upper recesses, each disposed along the lengthof the base between adjacent pairs of spikes; and wherein the first wingcomprises left and right portions and a middle portion disposed betweenthe left and right portions, wherein a maximum height of the middleportion is less than a maximum height of each of the left and rightportions.
 2. The deterrent device of claim 1, wherein the upper recesseseach comprises an aperture extending from the upper recess through thebase.
 3. The deterrent device of claim 1, wherein the upper recesses aredisposed on a top surface of the base, and wherein the base furthercomprises a plurality of lower recesses disposed on a bottom surface ofthe base.
 4. The deterrent device of claim 3, wherein the upper andlower recesses alternate sequentially along the length of the basebetween an upper recess and a lower recess.
 5. The deterrent device ofclaim 3, wherein the elongated base comprises a plurality of sections,wherein each section comprises a wing extending from opposite sides ofthe base, an upper recess, and a lower recess.
 6. The deterrent deviceof claim 1, wherein the elongated base and plurality of spikes comprisea single injection molded piece.
 7. The deterrent device of claim 1,wherein the deterrent device is nestable within a second elongated baseof a second deterrent device, and wherein the second deterrent devicehas a second plurality of spikes, and wherein the elongated base is lessthan 3 cm from the second elongated base when the deterrent device isnested within the second deterrent device.
 8. The deterrent device ofclaim 1, wherein a width of each upper recess is less than a width ofthe elongated base.
 9. A deterrent device, comprising: an elongated basehave left and right sides; a plurality of spikes extending from thebase; a first wing having raised left and right portions with respect tothe base, wherein the raised left and right portions extend from theleft and right sides of the base, respectively; and wherein the firstwing further comprises a middle portion disposed between the left andright portions, and wherein a maximum height of the middle portion isless than a maximum height of each of the left and right portions.
 10. Adeterrent device, comprising: an elongated base having a plurality ofwings extending from opposite sides of the base; a plurality of spikesextending upwardly from the wings, wherein the plurality of spikescomprises pairs of spikes disposed along a length of the base; andwherein the base further comprises a plurality of upper and lowerrecesses, wherein the upper recesses extend from a top surface of thebase, and wherein the lower recesses extend from a bottom surface of thebase, wherein a height of each of the upper and lower recesses is lessthan a height of the base.
 11. The deterrent device of claim 10, whereinan upper recess and a lower recess are disposed along the length of thebase between adjacent pairs of spikes.
 12. The deterrent device of claim10, wherein the upper and lower recesses each comprises an apertureextending through the base.
 13. The deterrent device of claim 10,wherein the upper and lower recesses alternate sequentially along thelength of the base between an upper recess and a lower recess.
 14. Thedeterrent device of claim 10, wherein the deterrent device is nestablewithin a second elongated base of a second deterrent device, and whereinthe second deterrent device has a second plurality of spikes, andwherein the elongated base is less than 3 cm from the second elongatedbase when the deterrent device is nested within the second deterrentdevice.
 15. The deterrent device of claim 10, further comprising aplurality of ribs, each of which extends across a width of the base andis disposed along a length of the base between an upper recess and alower recess.
 16. The deterrent device of claim 10, wherein theelongated base comprises a plurality of sections, wherein each sectioncomprises a wing extending from opposite sides of the base, an upperrecess, and a lower recess.
 17. The deterrent device of claim 10,wherein a width of each of the upper and lower recesses is less than amaximum width of the elongated base.
 18. The deterrent device of claim10, wherein the elongated base comprises left and right side walls, andwherein the upper and lower recesses are disposed between the left andright side walls.
 19. The deterrent device of claim 10, wherein each ofthe plurality of spikes is composed of stainless steel.
 20. Thedeterrent device of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of spikes iscomposed of plastic.